Uisce Éireann progressing Wastewater Treatment Plant for Arklow
Uisce Éireann has announced that it is progressing the surveys required to develop the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant (WwTP) Project. Uisce Éireann is working in partnership with Wicklow County Council and Arup to deliver this project which will end the current practice of discharging untreated wastewater into the Avoca River. The project represents an investment of over €30 million by Uisce Éireann and will bring benefits to Arklow in terms of health, integrity of the environment and improved water quality for all.
Arklow is one of seven large towns identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as having no wastewater treatment. This practice of discharging untreated wastewater to the Avoca River is no longer acceptable and Uisce Éireann intends to fix this problem through a strategic approach to the provision of wastewater treatment. Uisce Éireann is now preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with a view to submitting a planning application in early 2017 and is currently in discussions with An Bord Pleanála as to whether this project will be a strategic infrastructure development (SID).
Commenting on the announcement, Michael Tinsley, Asset Programmes Manager said "Uisce Éireann is committed to providing a new Wastewater Treatment Plant to the people of Arklow as a key priority. We would like to thank all of those who took part in the previous two phases of public consultation on this project. Uisce Éireann will further examine in detail, the issues raised during these consultation periods in preparing a planning application for this much needed project."
"Uisce Éireann will continue to keep residents, businesses and the wider community informed as the project progresses. If you are interested in being informed about the project and involved in further consultation on this project, please email us at arklowtp@water.ie for more information" he continued.
The proposed project will involve the construction of a Wastewater Treatment Plant for a population equivalent of 36,000 at the Old Wallboard Factory, North Quay, Ferrybank, which was the site option recommended by Uisce Éireann in December 2015. Interceptor sewer pipelines along the north and south quays will also be constructed to bring untreated wastewater to the plant and a marine outfall pipe will be constructed to safely discharge treated effluent to the Irish Sea.
Uisce Éireann will continue to provide updates on this project in 2016 on the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant Project page here in addition to updates to local media and all relevant stakeholders.